Kukke Subramanya Temple, Amidst the beauty of slopes of the Western Ghats and the thick evergreen forest lies the shrine of Kukke Subramanya. Apart from the scenic beauty of the attractive village of Subramanya in Indian state of Karnataka, is this temple that grabs the attention of million devotees all over the world.
Kukke Sri Subramanya Temple, one of the seven Mukti Sthalas of Karnataka, is dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya. It is most famous for the Sarpa Samskara Pooja performed to get rid of Kala Sarpa Dosha. Also, the main idol of the temple shows Lord Subramanya standing above the Serpents, Vasuki and Shesha.
Kukke Subramanya Temple
In the abundance of the rivers, forests and mountains lies the holiness of Kukke Subramanya Temple. This temple was initially famous as Kukke Pattana. This place or sanctity kshetra is sited on the banks of a beautiful river Dhara that starts off in the soaring Kumara Mountains and flows towards the western sea.
The Kumara Mountains creates the best milieu of this Hindu pilgrimage and the Shesha Mountain, which is shaped like a giant cobra with open hood, marks the entrance of the temple. There is a mention of a six headed cobra in Hindu mythology, and the Shesha Mountain resembles it and looks like the hoods are protecting the holy temple of Subramanya.
In this temple, Subramanya is worshipped as a form of Kartikeya who was believed to save Vasuki the godly serpent and other serpents when they were in danger of extinction due to Garuda.
History
Millions of pilgrims gather at the Kukke Subramanya Temple, Karnataka, every year. The journey is marked by the significant and holy worship of Lord Karthikeya. The majority come for Sarpa Samskara Pooja, an exclusive and essential act of pleasing the Nagas Devatsa. The Pooja helps relieve the harmful effects of tampering or killing a snake in a devotee’s life. The pilgrim should visit and perform the rightful rituals at the Kukke Subramanya temple. This helps remove the Sarpa Dosha from one horoscope.
According to the common myth, Lord Shanmukha along with Ganesha, his brother and other followers reached Kumara Parvatha after they defeated and killed the devil Tharaka and Shurapadmasura and all those who supported them in a combat. As they helped Lord Indra by defeating the devil army, he welcomed them warmly and requested Lord Kumara to marry Devasena, his daughter. The auspicious marriage ceremony was held on the Kumara Parvatha.
Several important God like Brahma, Rudra, Vishnu and many more attained their marriage and provided their holy blessing to the newly married couple. There is another myth that various Lords carried numerous holy waters which all fell down from Mahabhisheka, the place where the coronation ceremony was held, to form the Kumaradhara River.
Sarpa Samskara
This temple was built up to worship Vasuki, or Nagraja. According to Hindu mythology, Vasuki was a great Bhakt of Lord Shiva and performed Tapasshya for several years in the caves of Biladwara.
Shanmuka appeared before him one day and said that he would forever be a great Shiva’s param bhakt and this place would be renowned by his name. It is believed that one of the greatest curse that a man can get is sarpa dosha.
To free a man from that curse in this birth or may be the previous, this pooja is performed in this temple. Usually the astrologer asks a person to perform this pooja to get rid of the curse for which he or she has been facing some major crisis in life.
Ashlesha Pooja
It is one of the most important pooja to be performed during the Kaalsrapa Dosha poojas. The prime deity or Lord Subramanya ids believed to be the shield against Kaalsarapa Dosha and Kuja Dosha. This pooja is performed every month on Ashlesha nakshatra in two major shifts.
One id performed at 7’o clock in the morning and the other on 9:15 in the morning. The most propitious months for these pooja is believed to be the month of Margashira, Shravana and Karthika.
Pooja List
Few important poojas that are performed are listed below:
- Sarpa Samskara Inclusive of Nagaprathishta
- Nagaprathistha
- Ashlesha Bali
- Prarthana
Pooja bookings
Pooja bookings are available online. On needs to visit the official site of the temple and go through the details. You can also book by visiting the booking office at the temple.
Pooja timings
The daily rituals stars from 5 ‘O clock in the morning and continues till 9:30 at night. The entire day people can offer pooja to the lord.
